Carlos Jimenez & Mambo Dulcet: Red Tailed Hawk (2012)

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Lively danceable Latin music comes alive on flautist Carlos Jimenez and his Mambo Dulcet band's Red Tailed Hawk, presenting six originals and four covers on a landscape of hot Afro-Cuban rhythms. Jimenez and his group navigate through the high flying winds of the genre, incorporating elements of salsa and jazz in a decidedly shoulder-moving session of Latin beats. Like fellow jazz man Mark Weinstein

, Jimenez has become a flautist of note and a new exponent of the genre. With this swinging affair, Jimenez takes another leap forward in cementing his well-deserved reputation as a talented composer and skilled player.

Red Tailed Hawk's spicy Afro-Cuban sound is evident right from the opening "Tanto Rogarte." Drenched in Latin rhythms, Jimenez tees off with one burst after another, joined by pianist/vocalist Edy Martinez, timbalist George Cintron and cuongero Roberto Juan Rodriguez

in a sample of what's to come. Jimenez is quite a vocalist in his own right and displays this side of his talent on "Goza Nena," the lengthy "Alma Con Alma," "La Playa," and a Latin-tinged treatment of the jazz standard "My One & Only Love."

The jazz influence shines through on the title track, with beautiful instrumentals provided by Jimenez , guitarist John Guth and violinist Lewis Kahn

. There are some terrific mambo rhythms on Rolando Lozano's "Mambo Terrifico" and the light texture of "Cachita" before the set winds down on the very infectious "Tomando Café," a sensational finale that features trumpeter Richie Viruet, Kahn on trombone and the leader on piano and flute, capping off an exciting and gyrating Latin-style musical treat.